One lesson we are meant to learn from these unsettled times is to feel for others — to desire for every one of His children the inner and outer security and peace that we want for ourselves and our loved ones. We can make that caring and compassion an active force through spiritual as well as material efforts. I urge you to join all of us in Gurudeva's ashrams in praying for the many in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan who are going through such hardships after this month's devastating earthquake; as well as for those who have been affected by the most recent hurricane and by the continued difficulties in many parts of the world. If you are able to offer material assistance, I encourage you to do so through one of the relief organizations serving those areas.

At times like these, the question is often asked: "Why does God permit this suffering?" He is Love itself, and does not want us to undergo such heartaches and difficulties. But when humanity as a whole has misused the power of free choice He has given — when there is much selfishness and strife worldwide, and lack of regard for His divine laws — mass vibrations of inharmony are created, which disturb the equilibrium of nature and bring disasters such as we have recently seen.

From a limited mortal viewpoint, we cannot comprehend fully the vast and intricate panorama of God's creation. When circumstances challenge our human understanding or cause the heart to rebel, there is but one way to find the answers that will truly satisfy our souls — to turn to Him whose wisdom goes infinitely beyond our own, and who holds each one of us in His personal care. When the world passes through these kinds of experiences, we are meant to realize how much we need to have a deeper connection with God, to turn resolutely toward the Light of His Presence, and to strive to express more of His divine love and understanding in our lives.

It is by the power of love, for God and for one another, that we are able to rise above fear and pessimism, and to unite our hearts and minds with the boundless force for good that is unobtrusively working to evolve this world into a higher state. Your daily attitudes, actions, and prayers have a deeper influence than you may realize. Gurudeva told us: "Individual effort can be even more important than mass karma. One who in every way tries to uplift himself, harmonizing body, mind, and soul with the Divine, creates positive karma not only in his own life, but in his family, neighborhood, country, and world....The goodness of one soul may effectively neutralize the mass karma of millions." May his words encourage you to bring out that divine power of goodness from within your own soul, and to include in your love and prayers all those who are in need.